Match Review
Tokyo has been away from victory for four matches in the league. This round, they welcomed Sagan Tosu to their home, Ajinomoto Stadium. For Tokyo, Tosu is a particularly challenging opponent. In their recent record, they have lost eight consecutive matches, and their overall head-to-head record stands at 13 wins, 7 draws, and 14 losses. As this match marks the club's 25th anniversary, they hope to overcome their mental block against Tosu and celebrate their 25th anniversary with a victory.
Especially, Tosu was the first opponent when Tokyo joined the J-League in 1999. The history of Tokyo, which began with the match against Tosu, will continue to build anew with another match against Tosu on the occasion of the 25th anniversary.
Tokyo will be without Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI due to accumulated warnings. In their place, Kuryu MATSUKI, who returned from the U-22 Japan national team, and Diego Oliveira have been named in the starting lineup. Additionally, Yuto NAGATOMO has moved to right back, while Kashif BANGNAGANDE has been deployed as the starting left back.
1st HALF - Despite attacking in the final stages, they are down by 2 points.
From the start, both teams maintained possession of the ball and invaded each other's goal area. The first chance for both teams came from Tosu. In the 4th minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was headed by player Togashi, but Jakub SLOWIK jumped and made a save, hitting the right post.
Tokyo's counterattack came in the 8th minute of the first half, when Diego TABA, holding the ball outside the penalty area, dribbled and made a vertical pass into the penalty area. Although it hit an opponent and did not connect with a teammate, he continued to compete with the opponent and forcefully brought the ball to the front of the goal. In a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper, he took a shot, but unfortunately it veered to the left of the goal.
Both teams brought the ball close to the goal but were unable to create decisive chances, until the balance was broken in the 18th minute of the first half. A looping pass was sent from outside the penalty area to the front of the goal, and Nagano was pushed in front of the goal, allowing the first goal to be scored against us.
Furthermore, in the 30th minute of the first half, a long ball was played near the penalty area, and when Henrique TREVISAN and Togashi competed, a foul was called on Henrique, resulting in a penalty kick. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Togashi converted the penalty kick, extending the deficit to two goals.
Tokyo, wanting to score a goal first, connected the ball from their own half and sent it into the space on the right side in the 38th minute of the first half. Teruhito NAKAGAWA responded and broke free, carrying the ball into the penalty area and moving it to the right front of the goal. He drew out the goalkeeper and delivered a cross into the goal area, but Diego TABA's shot was blocked by the opponent.
Tokyo, chasing the deficit, maintained possession of the ball and advanced the game into the Tosu territory, but although they approached the goal, they were unable to create any decisive moments.
2nd HALF - Tawara's first professional goal turns the game around
Tokyo raises the banner of counterattack early in the second half.
In the 9th minute of the second half, he passed the ball to Yoshifumi, who was open on the left side, and delivered a sharp cross to the near side. Adailton, who was waiting, headed it in, and Tokyo scored a goal back.
The momentum of Tokyo is unstoppable. In the 14th minute of the second half, utilizing the left side again, Kafumi delivered a sharp cross into the goal area. The ball that Adailton headed towards flowed to Ryoma WATANABE, who trapped the ball and pushed it in, bringing the match back to square one.
Tokyo is strengthening its offensive while making substitutions in an effort to turn the game around. They send Jaja SILVA, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Kosuke SHIRAI, Yasuki KIMOTO, and Tsubasa TERAYAMA onto the pitch, closing in on the Tosu goal.
Tokyo wants to convert the momentum of ball possession into a goal. The score changed in the 42nd minute of the second half. Watanabe entered the penalty area and took a shot from just in front of the right diagonal of the goal, which was initially blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, but Tawaratsukita followed up on the rebound and scored the winning goal.
For Tawaratsukita, a happy first professional goal became the winning goal to celebrate Tokyo's 25th anniversary.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO / Masato MORISHIGE (substituted at 40 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO) / Henrique Trevisan / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted at 33 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI / Riki HARAKAWA (substituted at 40 minutes: Tsubasa TERAYAMA) / Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA / Diego Oliveira (substituted at 28 minutes: Jaja Silva) / Adailton (substituted at 33 minutes: Kota Tawaratsukita)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA
GOAL
9th minute of the second half: Adailton/14th minute of the second half: Ryoma WATANABE/42nd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
<Sagan Tosu>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ikkyu PARK
DF Kosuke YAMAZAKI/Fan Socco/Harada Wataru
MF So KAWAHARA/Kohei TEZUKA (substituted in 43rd minute: Naoyuki FUJITA)/Taichi KIKUCHI/Yuki HORIGOME (substituted in 40th minute: Ryonosuke KABAYAMA)
FW Yoichi NAGANUMA/Keima TOGASHI (substituted in 21st minute: Atsushi KAWATA)/Yuto IWASAKI (substituted in 21st minute: Ayumu YOKOYAMA)
SUBS
GK Masahiro OKAMOTO
MF Kentaro MORIYA/Akito FUKUTA
GOAL
18th minute of the first half: Yoichi NAGANUMA/32nd minute of the first half: Cayman TOGASHI
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was an exciting battle between two thrilling teams. I believe it was highly entertaining for the fans and supporters. Regarding the first half, we were unable to control the match until the latter part of the half. We went into halftime down 0-2, but there were opportunities where scoring one or two goals would not have been surprising. In the second half, we were able to showcase our strengths. I think we fought on with conviction. I am very happy that we could send the fans and supporters who cheered for us until the end home with smiles.
Q: What instructions did you give at halftime?
At halftime, we reviewed on video the points we need to improve. The solution was found in the scenes from the end of the first half. While holding onto our beliefs, the players continued to fight, and that is why we were able to deliver victory to our fans and supporters. Our way of fighting is developing step by step, and I believe today we were able to take a step forward. To become better, we want to focus on ourselves and steadily build up. By believing in our way of fighting, we achieved the result we did today. We hope to keep refining ourselves daily and move closer to the team we dream of. There is still much to do. We want to grow steadily.
Q: Please tell us the reason for substituting Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
A was substituted because he started to experience leg cramps, so the change was made due to physical reasons. He had been out of the squad due to injury until recently, so he is currently in the process of rebuilding his physical condition. Today, he gave his all during the time he was on the field. After the substitution, the fresh player did his job properly.
[Player Interview]]
<Adailton>
Q: It was a dramatic comeback victory. Please reflect on the match.
A, we conceded 2 goals in the first half, and it was a very poor performance. We made adjustments going into the second half and played with an attitude of never giving up until the end, which I believe led to the come-from-behind victory. In the end, we were able to win, and I think it was a good match.
Q: The first half saw a continuation of scenes where we couldn't create attacking plays, but what adjustments did you make at halftime?
A, of course, we tried to make adjustments during the first half to create a good flow on the pitch, but we couldn't shape it well and couldn't express it in our play. At halftime, we received instructions from Coach CKLAMOVSKI about the areas where the opponent was creating space. I believe that being able to effectively express the coach's instructions and advice on the pitch led to our come-from-behind victory.
Q: Please reflect on the first goal that became the turning point for the comeback victory.
A, a wonderful cross was sent to me by Kashif BANGNAGANDE, so I just had to properly connect it with my head.
Q: You achieved a comeback victory against Sagan Tosu, a team you hadn't been able to beat for a long time. How do you want to maintain this momentum?
A, today was also a very difficult match, but I am truly happy that we were able to earn 3 points from Tosu, a team we had not been able to beat for a long time. We want to cherish today's momentum and firmly apply it to the remaining league matches.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, this was your first official match starting lineup since May. Please review the game.
A, we couldn't start the match well and were unable to build up our attacks effectively in the first half. However, the team made solid adjustments before the second half, and I am happy to have contributed to the team's victory with an assist in my first start in a while. That said, there were many issues and areas for improvement in defensive intensity and the finer points of our attack. We have a match against Gamba Osaka next week, so we want to reset properly and approach it with focus.
Q, the pinpoint cross for the first goal and the cross that led to the second goal greatly contributed to the victory with plays that utilized their characteristics.
A, I was able to execute the style I am good at. Coach CKLAMOVSKI asked me to deliver crosses to that position starting from training. Since this week's training, I have been practicing crossing drills like the scene of the first goal with Coach Yukihiko SATO. I was able to kick powerfully and smoothly in the "as practiced" style. I am grateful to Coach SATO.
Q: The results of your practice were quickly reflected in the match, weren't they?
With Coach Sato, we reviewed everything from scratch, including how to step into the kick. Since the match against Kawasaki Frontale, I have had in-depth discussions with Coach Sato, so I was able to feel the results of our practice.
Q, it was a special match to commemorate the 25th anniversary, and players who were promoted from the academy, such as Yoshifumi and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, performed well in the match.
In the league, with the current standings, and having been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup, the chances of winning a title have almost disappeared. I believe it is essential to win the upcoming matches and build momentum for the future. We young players are expected to push from below, and those promoted from the academy to the top team want to demonstrate even greater strength. I was truly happy about player Tawara Tsukida's winning goal in the final round.
Q: The next match will also be at home. Please tell us again your enthusiasm for the upcoming matches.
A, both as a team and as individuals, we will give 100 percent to the upcoming match. We want to switch our mindset firmly and face it, and since we lost to Gamba Osaka in the previous match, we want to show Tokyo's good football and aim for victory.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, please review the scene of your first professional goal.
A, I thought about how many matches it has been since my professional debut when I scored, and while I feel happy, I also feel half disappointed in my own lack of ability. I believed the cross would come, so I'm glad I took that position.
Q: It was impressive to see you head straight to the fans and supporters right after scoring.
I wasn't planning a goal celebration, and I wasn't thinking about anything after scoring, but before I knew it, I was heading towards the fans and supporters. They have been cheering for me since my academy days and supported me even during the times I couldn't deliver results as a professional. I finally repaid them with a goal, so I think my feet moved on their own.
Q: You came on as a substitute, but you showed a high level of performance, creating some close chances aside from the scoring scene.
A, I don't know if my condition is good or not, but I felt that there were still many areas lacking in the match, so I want to analyze and thoroughly address those shortcomings and continuously grow to lead the team to victory.
Q: In the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale, you mentioned feeling the difficulty of coming on as a substitute. What were you conscious of when you took the field today?
A, the difficulty of coming on as a substitute remains the same, but by focusing more on what I need to do and being conscious of my tasks while playing, it led to a goal. Therefore, in any situation, I want to continue playing with an awareness of what I need to do first and foremost.
Q: Please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, I am full of gratitude to the fans and supporters who have always cheered us on and supported us during difficult times, and from now on, I want to repay that by delivering victories. First, I will do my best to win against Gamba Osaka in the next match and achieve two consecutive wins.
